David Chang
Clarinet
The Charlie and Ling Zhang Chair
Embarking on a musical journey that began in Korea at the tender age of 8, David has evolved into a clarinet virtuoso whose artistry captivates audiences worldwide. At just 13, he crossed continents to nurture his raw talent at Idyllwild Arts in the United States, where he was mentored by the renowned Yehuda Gilad. His relentless pursuit of musical excellence led him to the University of Southern California (USC) to train under Mitchell Lurie. From there, he honed his artistry at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, earning his Bachelor of Music, before obtaining his Master's degree at Temple University.
Since joining Pacific Symphony in 2009, David has been a musical powerhouse both on stage and beyond. He has graced some of the world's leading orchestras—including the Pittsburgh Symphony, National Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. With the latter, he embarked on exhilarating tours across Asia and Europe. In 2012, the Seoul Philharmonic invited David to perform as principal clarinet under the esteemed conductor Myung-Whun Chung. His summer sojourns are no less impressive, featuring residencies at iconic festivals such as Vail Bravo, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Edinburgh International Festival, Grafenegg Music Festival, and BBC Proms with the Philadelphia Orchestra. As a chamber musician, David even toured Japan alongside the principal players of the Vienna Philharmonic.
Beyond the stage, David is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He offers private lessons, guiding his students toward musical mastery and helping them gain acceptance into illustrious institutions like the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard, and USC. Notably, one of his proteges clinched the Albert M. Greenfield competition and earned the extraordinary privilege of performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. David enjoys the intimate setting of chamber music with his brother and friends, sharing his love for music in the most personal way.
Since joining Pacific Symphony in 2009, David has been a musical powerhouse both on stage and beyond. He has graced some of the world's leading orchestras—including the Pittsburgh Symphony, National Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. With the latter, he embarked on exhilarating tours across Asia and Europe. In 2012, the Seoul Philharmonic invited David to perform as principal clarinet under the esteemed conductor Myung-Whun Chung. His summer sojourns are no less impressive, featuring residencies at iconic festivals such as Vail Bravo, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Edinburgh International Festival, Grafenegg Music Festival, and BBC Proms with the Philadelphia Orchestra. As a chamber musician, David even toured Japan alongside the principal players of the Vienna Philharmonic.
Beyond the stage, David is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He offers private lessons, guiding his students toward musical mastery and helping them gain acceptance into illustrious institutions like the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard, and USC. Notably, one of his proteges clinched the Albert M. Greenfield competition and earned the extraordinary privilege of performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. David enjoys the intimate setting of chamber music with his brother and friends, sharing his love for music in the most personal way.